The Ogun State Police Command has arrested 23 foreign nationals following a security operation at a residential estate in Ota, where the suspects were allegedly linked to Ponzi schemes, visa scams and other immigration-related offences.
The arrests were made by operatives of the Atan-Ota Police Division during a raid conducted on August 4 at a gated residential building located within an estate around Iyana-Iyesi, Onipanu, Ota.
The police said the operation was triggered by information received concerning suspected fraudulent activities allegedly taking place at the location.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Monday, August 10, in Abeokuta.
According to Babaseyi, the information received by the police prompted officers to mobilise to the location, where they secured the premises before taking the suspects into custody for questioning and further investigation.
He explained that the operation was not conducted randomly, stressing that it followed intelligence regarding activities suspected to be fraudulent in nature.
The police spokesperson said the 23 foreign nationals were arrested in connection with allegations bordering on Ponzi schemes, visa scams and other offences associated with immigration.
Following the arrests, the police commenced preliminary investigations to determine the circumstances surrounding the activities at the premises and the specific roles allegedly played by the individuals.
Babaseyi said the outcome of the initial investigation led to the transfer of 21 of the suspects to the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) on August 5.
The 21 suspects were handed over to the immigration authorities to enable further investigation into matters relating to their immigration status and the allegations for which they were arrested.
The police explained that the transfer was necessary because some of the issues arising from the investigation fell within the jurisdiction of the Nigeria Immigration Service.
However, two of the suspects were retained by the police because of allegations involving Obtaining by False Pretence (OBT) and other related offences.
The command said the two individuals would remain subject to police investigation and could be prosecuted if the evidence gathered establishes a case against them.
The development comes amid continued efforts by law enforcement agencies to uncover fraudulent activities allegedly being carried out through organised schemes.
Ponzi schemes typically involve promises of financial returns to participants, with funds from newer participants being used to pay earlier ones rather than profits generated from legitimate business activities.
Visa scams, on the other hand, may involve false representations or fraudulent arrangements relating to travel or immigration documentation.
However, the Ogun State Police Command has not disclosed the specific structure of the alleged Ponzi scheme, the amount of money involved, the identities of the suspects or the number of people who may have allegedly fallen victim to the activities.
The police also did not state the nationalities of the 23 foreign nationals arrested during the operation.
Babaseyi said the investigation remained ongoing, indicating that the authorities were yet to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged activities.
He added that investigators were also working to determine whether other individuals were connected to the suspected scheme.
The ongoing probe is expected to help the authorities establish how the alleged activities were organised, the roles played by those arrested and whether additional suspects may be identified.
For the two suspects still being held by the police, the investigation will also determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support prosecution for Obtaining by False Pretence and other related offences.
Meanwhile, the 21 individuals transferred to the Nigeria Immigration Service are expected to undergo further immigration-related scrutiny as the agency determines the appropriate action in line with the findings of its investigation.
The police have not announced the final outcome of the immigration investigation.
The command said further developments would depend on the progress of the ongoing investigations and the evidence obtained by the relevant authorities.
The Ogun Police Command’s latest operation also underscores the importance of intelligence gathering in tackling suspected criminal activities.
The raid was carried out after information was reportedly provided to the police, allowing officers to identify and secure the location where the alleged activities were suspected to be taking place.
Authorities are expected to continue examining the circumstances surrounding the case to determine whether the arrested individuals acted independently or were part of a wider network.
As investigations continue, the police are expected to establish the facts of the case before taking further legal action against any suspect found to have violated the law.